My part is a two-part story.
Let’s start part one:
Evelyn and I decided a few weeks ago to escape for a couple days and go fishing. We would go to our son-in-law’s property in Horca, Colorado, 17 miles west of Antonito. The travel restrictions for Colorado were lifted at that time. We would take our vintage Airstream trailer and camp on their property and fish the Conejos River nearby. We have been there before and really enjoy the place. We left on a Wednesday afternoon and would return home the following Saturday morning. The drive went well, and we stopped along the way to take pictures of the beautiful snowcapped mountains. We arrived and set camp before dark. We had our own water supply so did not need to tie into the property supply. We ran an extension cord to the power outlet so we could have our electric blanket plugged in for the night. Our trailer has all 12-volt lights, and we use a battery for those. Things went well the first night; all comfortable and tucked in with our dog Duke Marie. In the morning as I normally do on excursions, I start the vehicle to ensure it will be ok. Upon starting the tuck, the alternator belt was making a shrill squeal. I felt the alternator and it was extremely hot, and the charging gauge showed it was not working. I needed an alternator for the truck. There is no cell coverage here on my service.
I saw a man working on the eaves of a store behind the church and walked the mile to see if I could use his phone. I was masked up and asked for his help or use of his phone. He obliged and using his cell phone I called a friend in Antonito only to find his number changed. I then called my son-in —law’s father Jerry, who also lives in Antonito, to see if he could help me. He was in Alamosa near the Ford dealership and would check on the part I need there. From 10 feet away the store owner called numbers to me to dial. The dealer had no part for me but could get the part I need four days later from Memphis. Another number was shouted to me for a parts store in La Jara. I called them and they could get my part in the morning from Albuquerque. I ordered it. Jerry would pick it up in the morning and bring the part to me. I decided to remove the alternator to be ready for the install in the morning. No metric wrenches in my toolbox. But I can roll the old alternator out and roll the new one in under the belt. I went fishing after lunch and my luck was terrible. I was in a terrible mood. I put my fishing stuff away and read camper trailer restoration magazines, then dinner, bedtime, and lights out... until midnight, when I felt a chill in the trailer. The propane wall furnace had gone out! I went outside and swapped the propane hose to the other bottle, and in checking it, I found it almost empty as well. I thought I had done my part to prepare for the trip. We will sleep in until the part arrives in the morning and not use the remaining propane unless really needed.
In the morning, during coffee I had a reality check ... my mood was better as I thought: “I broke down in an RV park, yes an RV park... with a full fridge, electric heat, water and within shouting distance for help.”
What could be a more ideal place for a break-down.... both mine and the truck?
Jerry arrived by 9 a.m. and I swapped the part and he left. We both wore masks and kept distance. We came home a day early.
Part two:
We arrived home and upon watching the news that we had not for a couple days found the COVID-19 numbers are steadily climbing. Partly from crowds and partly from people failing to do their part in social distancing and wearing their masks it seems. I do my part and use sanitizer, social distance, avoid crowds, and respect travel advice. This pandemic cannot be fixed as easily as my truck, by a part change, if we all cannot honestly say .... I’m doing... my part!